Fulminating Vibrio parahemolyticus Septicemia

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Abstract
FatalVibrio parahemolyticussepticemia has not been reported hitherto, although acute gastroenteritis caused by the organism is well known.1The facultative halophilicVibrioplays a substantial role in the cause of summertime food poisoning outbreaks in Japan and recently has been implicated in outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. TheVibriohas been recovered in offshore sea water, uncooked sea fish, and fresh and frozen shellfish in the United States, Japan, and Great Britain.1-5 In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms occurring as a result of contaminated seafood ingestion, tissue invasion byV parahemolyticushas been observed in association with recreational exposure in fresh water or saltwater.6In these cases, direct transdermal invasion is presumed. Roland described a case in a 40-year-old man two days after he went "clamming" in Narragansett Bay.7The patient had generalized papular hemorrhagic rash, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and profound hypotension;V